That is the view of his United team-mate Michael Carrick, who is convinced that the England centre half would have been voted Footballer of the Year but for the stunning success of Reds team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Carrick said: "Rio has been immense all season. There are games that stand out - Liverpool at Anfield in the league, and the away matches in Europe against Barcelona and Roma.
"He has been awesome. Not much gets past him and it's a great comfort for a midfielder like myself to have a player that good backing you up.
"His performances are consistently at a high standard. The thing is, he's getting better. Being made England captain and taking the armband in some United games has given him a boost.
"This season he's probably proved he's the best defender in the world.
"I didn't choose Rio, however, in the PFA awards I picked Ronny because he scored a hatful of goals and so many were important.
"A winger getting 42 goals is hard to ignore.
"He'll get praise from all angles, and rightly so, but Rio has been unbelievable and defenders often get overlooked.
"The back line as a whole has been magnificent and Rio has been a big part of that.
"In any other year, Rio would have been Player of the Year."
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Gerry, Glastonbury (07/06/2008 at 14:38)
Gary Breen's Handball (07/06/2008 at 15:48)
sibierski's double, manchester (07/06/2008 at 18:09)
Ba Ole (20 Legend), Lusaka, Zambia (07/06/2008 at 23:44)
Lucusade (09/06/2008 at 15:58)
Balders, Tier 2 Stretford (10/06/2008 at 09:56)
Every red article seems to force a bitter in to a fit of rage, leading to such intelligent retorts as mentioning Rio's missed/failed drugs test!
Jog on berties, it's over, gone, finished, kaput - who cares if Rio is a under-cover junkie from moss side..... & if it meant you played footie like he does..... then CITY would be champions of europe surely??
Wastelands must now be taking from the shheety of culture as the comedy centre of the world.
Match days at wastelands must be like a Frank Skinner gig!
next gag please .....
Paul Walsh Fan Club (10/06/2008 at 14:15)
YOU WHAT?! most over-rated and misake prone defender on the planet. Not fit to lace Nesta and Cannavaro's boots. I'd rank him alongside Sun Jihai at City!!